ACP-EU relations beyond 2020

EU relations with the ACP group date back to the 1975 Lomé Convention, revised on four occasions until 1989. This was replaced by the Cotonou Agreement in 2000, revised in 2005 in Luxembourg and in 2010 in Ouagadougou, and covers EU-ACP relations until 2020.Twenty-eight European Union (EU) Member States and 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries are legally bound by the provisions of the Cotonou Agreement, with its three intertwined pillars: a political dimension, development strategies and economic and trade cooperation.

In February 2020, the Cotonou Agreement will expire and a new relationship has to be designed, taking into account the achievements and shortcomings of the agreement. The EU position is expected by May 2017. The European Parliament's consent will be required before a new agreement is concluded.

Author: Eric Pichon

ESO: Background information: The future of ACP-EU relations depends on strengthening parliamentary oversight and stepping up civil society participation http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-future-of-acp-eu-relations-depends-on-strengthening-parliamentary-oversight-and-stepping-up-civil-society-participation/

ESO: Background information: The future of ACP-EU relations. A political economy analysis (ECDPM) http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-future-of-acp-eu-relations-a-political-economy-analysis/

EU: EEAS: African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) http://eeas.europa.eu/diplomatic-network/african-caribbean-and-pacific-group-states-acp_en

EurActiv, 01.12.16: Post-Cotonou Agreement will to tackle migration crisis http://www.euractiv.com/section/development-policy/news/post-cotonou-agreement-will-to-tackle-migration-crisis/

---